John 20: 19-31 OR John 7:37-39

The Meaning of Pentecost

John 20: 19-31 OR John 7:37-39

The Meaning of Pentecost

Today is a very special day. We call it Pentecost – and it’s a day we’ve been looking forward to for fifty days – ever since Easter.

Pentecost is special for two important reasons.

Do you remember that as Jesus was preparing to go to Heaven, he made the people a promise? He told that that even though he was leaving them (and wouldn’t be living on Earth anymore as a man) that he wouldn’t be leaving them all alone. He promised that he’d send them something else: the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is something special, that we can each feel inside. It’s what helps us to know God’s love, to lead good lives, and to help others understand more about God.

After Jesus went to heaven, the Holy Spirit came down upon the disciples. It was such a special feeling that they went right out into the streets to tell everyone they could about Jesus.

And guess what happened? They did such a good job that by the time they finished three thousand people were baptized and decided to become followers of Jesus!

And so Pentecost is sort of like a birthday! It’s the birthday of the church – the day that the Holy Spirit so filled our hearts that the church was born. And here we are – almost two thousand years later – still feeling God’s love just as they did on the very first Pentecost.

Can you feel it? Me too.

Will you pray with me?

Dear God,

Thank you for sending both your son Jesus and the Holy Spirit to Earth to teach us about your love. Help us this week to spread your love and your word.